The UFC has targeted three high profile fights for UFC on FOX 20 on July 23 in Chicago, but only one of them is official.
Former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez (22-5) will return at UFC on FOX 20 to face Edson Barboza (17-4) in a battle between two of the top fighters in the UFC lightweight division. That bout is official.
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It marks Melendez’s first trip to the Octagon since June of 2015, when he lost a split decision to Eddie Alvarez. Melendez tested positive for testosterone metabolites following the bout and has spent the past year on suspension.
Barboza has fought three times during that span, including his recent unanimous-decision victory over Anthony Pettis at UFC 197.
Other UFC on FOX 20 bouts being teased on Wednesday night’s edition of UFC Tonight include a possible bantamweight headliner between former champ Holly Holm and rising talent Valentina Shevchenko, as well as a light heavyweight contender bout pitting Anthony “Rumble” Johnson against Glover Teixeira.
